Solution to status check uproar is to make legal immigration easier

The somewhat emotional article on the plight of illegal immigrants, primarily of those from Central America in Baltimore, leaves me without any sympathy ("Immigrants, city fear divide over status checks," Feb. 26).

The reporter, as in previous similar articles, finds one or more legal residents who are willing to say that the whole of the Hispanic population feels oppression from the police force when it is merely carrying out its normal job. Citing some innocent friend or relative as merely looking for honest work in this country does not help the situation but merely increases the complexity of the problem for the lawful authorities. If the legal immigrant does not uphold the law then that person may well be led into harboring a less innocent person and one, who in turn, may well prey upon their innocence and false sense of loyalty.

We need legal immigrants in this country to renew its economy and lifeblood. The natural migratory movement north from Central America needs to be encouraged by an improved and swifter method of issuing the required legal documents to afford entry — more work visa authorizations issued more quickly and more opportunities created for seasonal immigrant workers. If these measures are pursued wholeheartedly then we would markedly reduce the number of illegal immigrants coming from our south, lower the need for a southern border patrol and fence, and stop all these useless state laws.